Bequests
As a designated charity, the Old Court House Law Museum (the Museum) relies heavily on the generosity of donors to protect the building and its collections.
Leaving a gift in your Will, regardless of how big or small, truly makes a difference; ensuring that Western Australia’s social, legal and built heritage is preserved for future generations.
Once you have provided for family and loved ones, a gift in your Will – no matter the size – can help protect and share Western Australia’s legal and social heritage for generations to come. A specific sum or even a small percentage of the residue of your Estate will make a meaningful and lasting difference.
How to leave a legacy to support the Museum
If you need to make a new Will, we recommend contacting a solicitor who can provide you with appropriate legal advice.
The Law Society of Western Australia maintains a register of solicitors experienced in Wills and Estates.
You can Find a Lawyer on the Law Society website www.lawsocietywa.asn.au or phone (08) 9324 8600 for a referral.
Part or all of your estate
When making your gift to the Museum, you can choose to leave the entirety of your estate, or any portion you choose. These options are outlined below:
A specific bequest can include an amount of money, cash balances in a bank account, a residential house, commercial property, financial assets or company shares.
When making a specific cash bequest, some donors may consider including a provision for the cash gift to be adjusted against the Consumer Price Index from the date of the Will. This helps to ensure that the value gifted to the Museum is not diminished due to the passage of time.
For bequests of real estate or company shares, a gift in specie can be transferred to the Museum. We recommend that you seek appropriate legal and/or financial advice to determine if this type of gift is suitable for you.
You may choose to leave residential or commercial property to the Museum while allowing a family member or friend to live in the property or continue operating a business from it for the rest of their life. After their passing, the property would be sold and the proceeds directed to the Museum.
As life interests require careful and specific legal drafting, we strongly recommend seeking advice from a solicitor experienced in Wills and Estates.
After your Executor has distributed any specific gifts and settled all debts, the remainder of your estate—known as the residue—will be distributed according to your Will. You may choose to leave all or a percentage of this residue to the Museum.
Leaving a percentage ensures that, regardless of changes in the value of your estate over time, the proportion intended for the Museum remains consistent.
If you wish to include a bequest to the Museum in your Will or codicil, you, or your solicitor, may consider using the following wording:
“I give the (whole or percentage) of my estate to the Trustee for Old Court House Law Museum ABN 76 895 798 515 (Old Court House Museum) of Level 4, Office 1, 160 St Georges Terrace, Perth, Western Australia for its general purposes. The receipt of the secretary, treasurer or other duly authorised officer of the Old Court House Museum will be a full and sufficient discharge to my Executor(s) and I declare that my Executor(s) shall not be bound to see to the application of this gift.”
OR
“I give the (sum of $(amount) or (specified items)) to the Trustee for Old Court House Law Museum ABN 76 895 798 515 (Old Court House Museum) of Level 4, Office 1, 160 St Georges Terrace, Perth, Western Australia for its general purposes. The receipt of the secretary, treasurer or other duly authorised officer of the Old Court House Museum will be a full and sufficient discharge to my Executor(s) and I declare that my Executor(s) shall not be bound to see to the application of this gift.”
A bequest to the Museum for its general purposes will empower the Museum to function into the future and to continue its purpose of protecting, conserving and sharing its built and cultural heritage. Wording your wishes in such a way will allow the Trustee to address priorities promptly and with flexibility. However, if you have a particular purpose in mind, please contact us to discuss your wishes.
If you have already included the Museum in your Will or wish to do so, please get in touch so that we can thank you or assist you with the process.
Contact Us
Should you have any queries or wish to have a confidential discussion regarding a bequest, please contact Aine Whelan at awhelan@lawsocietywa.asn.au or on 0402 345 208.
